[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 14, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52735-52736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24677]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 197 / Wednesday, October 14, 2009 / 
Notices  

[[Page 52735]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


Notice of Intent To Request an Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, 
USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations (5 CFR part 1320) 
which implement the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 
35), this notice announces the Cooperative State Research, Education, 
and Extension Service's (CSREES) intention to request an extension for 
a currently approved information collection (OMB No. 0524-0026) for 
Form CSREES-665, ``Assurance of Compliance with the Department of 
Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights Compliance,'' and Form 
CSREES-666, ``Organizational Information.'' Upon OMB approval of this 
collection, the burden for the Form CSREES-665 will be transferred to 
OMB control number 0524-0039, ``Cooperative State Research, Education, 
and Extension Application Kit for Research and Extension Programs.''

DATES: Submit comments on or before December 14, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice and requests for 
copies of the information collection may be submitted by any of the 
following methods to Jason Hitchcock, Director, Information Policy, 
Planning and Training; Mail: CSREES/USDA; Mail Stop 2216; 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, DC 20250-2299; Hand Delivery/
Courier: 800 9th Street, SW., Waterfront Centre, Room 4217, Washington, 
DC 20024; or E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Hitchcock, Director of 
Information Policy, Planning, and Training; Information Systems and 
Technology Management; CSREES/USDA, E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture 
Regulations Assuring Civil Rights Compliance and Organizational 
Information.
    OMB Number: 0524-0026.
    Expiration Date of Current Approval: February 28, 2010.
    Type of Request: Intent to extend a currently approved information 
collection for three years.
    Abstract: CSREES has primary responsibility for providing linkages 
between the Federal and State components of a broad-based, national 
agricultural research, extension, and education system. Focused on 
national issues, its purpose is to represent the Secretary of 
Agriculture and carry out the intent of Congress by administering 
formula and grant funds appropriated for agricultural research, 
extension, and education. Before awards can be made, certain 
information is required from applicants to assure compliance with the 
applicable civil rights laws and to effectively assess the potential 
recipient's capacity to manage Federal funds.
    Need for the Information: Form CSREES-665 ``Assurance of Compliance 
with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights 
Compliance'': By signing this form, the organization certifies that it 
complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. The applicant 
agrees that it will offer its programs to all eligible persons without 
regard to race, color, national origin, gender, disability, age, 
political beliefs, religion, marital status, or familial status and 
that people will not be excluded from participation in, be denied the 
benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any 
program or activity for which the applicant receives the Federal 
financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture. This 
information is submitted to CSREES on a one-time basis.
    Form CSREES-666 ``Organizational Information'': This form enables 
CSREES to determine that applicants recommended for awards will be 
responsible recipients of Federal funds. The information pertains to 
organizational management and financial matters of the potential 
grantee. This form and the documents which the applicant attaches to it 
provide CSREES with information such as the legal name of grantee, 
certification that the organization has the legal authority to accept 
Federal funding, identification and signatures of the key officials of 
the organization, the organization's practices in regard to 
compensation rates and benefits of employees, insurance for equipment, 
subcontracting with other organizations, etc., as well as the financial 
condition of the organization and certification that the organization 
is not delinquent on Federal taxes. All of this information is 
considered by CSREES prior to award to determine if the grantee is both 
managerially and fiscally responsible. This information is submitted to 
CSREES on a one-time basis. If sufficient changes occur within the 
organization, the grantee submits revised information.
    Estimate of the Burden: CSREES estimates the number of responses 
for the Form CSREES-665 will be 4350 with an estimated response time of 
5 minutes per form, representing a total annual burden of 363 hours for 
this form. CSREES estimates the number of responses for the Form 
CSREES-666 will be 150 with an estimated response time of 6.3 hours per 
form, representing a total annual burden of 945 hours for this form. 
These estimates are based on a survey of grantees that were approved 
for grant awards. They were asked to give an estimate of time it took 
them to complete each form. This estimate was to include such things 
as: (1) Reviewing the instructions; (2) searching existing data 
sources; (3) gathering and maintaining the data needed; and (4) actual 
completion of the forms. The average time it took each respondent was 
calculated from their responses.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will 
have a practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the

[[Page 52736]]

validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.

    Done at Washington, DC, this 6th day of October 2009.
Rajiv J. Shah,
Chief Scientist, USDA, Under Secretary for REE.
[FR Doc. E9-24677 Filed 10-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P